Luke 1:30

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And {G2532} the angel {G32} said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Fear {G5399} not {G3361}, Mary {G3137}: for {G1063} thou hast found {G2147} favour {G5485} with {G3844} God {G2316}.

The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favor with God.

So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.

Luke 1:30 captures a pivotal moment in biblical history: the angel Gabriel's comforting words to Mary, a young virgin, as he prepares to deliver the most extraordinary news. This verse reveals God's tender approach to humanity and the profound concept of divine favor.

Context

This verse is part of the Annunciation narrative, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth. Prior to this, Mary was "troubled" by the angel's greeting, which was unusually direct and highly honorific ("Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women," Luke 1:28). Gabriel's immediate response, "Fear not, Mary," addresses her internal struggle and apprehension, paving the way for the incredible revelation of the coming birth of Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance: The phrase "Fear not" is a common angelic or divine greeting in the Bible, often preceding a significant, sometimes overwhelming, revelation or command. It serves as a powerful reassurance of God's benevolent presence and purpose.
  • God's Unmerited Favor: The core message is that Mary "found favour with God." This is not something Mary earned through extraordinary deeds but rather a sovereign act of God's grace. It highlights God's choice of a humble, ordinary individual for an extraordinary, world-changing role. This divine favor underscores that God often works through the unexpected to achieve His purposes.
  • Preparation for a Divine Calling: Gabriel's words not only calm Mary but also prepare her heart for the immense responsibility and unique calling that is about to be unveiled. Her favor with God is the foundation upon which her miraculous conception will rest.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek phrase for "Fear not" is mē phobou (μὴ φοβοῦ), which can be translated as "stop fearing" or "do not continue to fear." It's an imperative that implies an ongoing state of anxiety, which the angel seeks to alleviate immediately.
  • The word for "favour" is charis (χάρις), which is the same Greek word often translated as "grace." This emphasizes that Mary's selection was not based on her merit but on God's unmerited, loving kindness. This concept of salvation by grace through faith is central to Christian theology.

Related Scriptures

The concept of "finding favor with God" is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. For instance, Noah found favor with the Lord before the great flood, and Moses also found favor in the eyes of God, leading to profound interactions and divine intervention in their lives.

Practical Application

Luke 1:30 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. When faced with daunting challenges, unexpected callings, or overwhelming circumstances, we can remember that God's presence brings peace and that His favor is freely given to those He chooses. It reminds us that God often uses humble and seemingly ordinary individuals for His grand plans. Our worth and calling are not based on our achievements but on God's gracious choice and His unshakeable love for us. We are invited to trust God's plan, even when it seems impossible or frightening, knowing that His favor is our foundation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

  • Romans 8:31

    ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • Matthew 14:27

    But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

  • Isaiah 41:10

    ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • Luke 12:32

    Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

  • Acts 18:9

    Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

  • Acts 18:10

    For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

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